News

NHS probe over high amputation rate

Health bosses are working with a charity to investigate why part of Sussex has one of the highest rates of diabetes-related amputations in the country.

Diabetes UK contacted the Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) after becoming concerned about the figures.

Information shows there were 106 amputations over the last three years – giving a rate of 4.2 per 1,000 of the diabetic population.

This is significantly higher than the national average of 2.6.

Unacceptable The charity’s analysis shows just 22.2% of diabetics with foot problems admitted to hospital are seen by a specialist within 24 hours and 86.4% did not have their feet checked during their stay.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has identified both of these checks as important for preventing amputations in people with diabetes.

“Diabetes-related foot problems can deteriorate in a matter of hours, so not seeing a specialist team quickly can literally be the difference between keeping your foot and losing it.

“It is unacceptable that barely a fifth of people with diabetes who develop foot problems are referred to a specialist team within 24 hours.

“Diabetes UK needs to see strong action to improve the situation in Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford, and we will be monitoring the situation.”

Diabetics are more than 20 times more likely to have an amputation than the rest of the population.

CCG chairman Martin Writer said: “It is common for sufferers of diabetes to experience foot problems, especially in older people, and we are grateful to Diabetes UK for its analysis.

“We will be looking at individual cases and assessing a range of factors including our population profile, how patients are referred for treatment and the range and level of services available for people with foot problems caused by diabetes.”

Coastal West Sussex CCG, which covers Chichester, Arun, Worthing and Adur districts, has a rate of 3 per 1,000, while both Brighton and Hove and Crawley are at 2.9.

Hastings and Rother is 2.7, while High Weald, Lewes and Havens has a rate |of 2.5.

chrismilo wrote:
Is that to do with all the extra sex change operations ?

Interesting viewpoint, but wrong bit amputated I think!

On a more serious note, I'm borderline diabetic but the only check on my feet has been "can you still feel them and are they the same colour?" I take respinsibilty for checking them myself because I know the risks from just a minor infection or cut and would seek medical help quickly if needed.

[quote][p][bold]chrismilo[/bold] wrote:
Is that to do with all the extra sex change operations ?[/p][/quote]Interesting viewpoint, but wrong bit amputated I think!
On a more serious note, I'm borderline diabetic but the only check on my feet has been "can you still feel them and are they the same colour?" I take respinsibilty for checking them myself because I know the risks from just a minor infection or cut and would seek medical help quickly if needed.chilliman

I do feel sorry for those who suffer from this awful condition through no fault of their own. However, perhaps the other 80% may be suffering from 'over-active cake hole syndrome', this leads to increasing girth and denial of any personal responsibility for diet or personal hygiene, enlarged and incessant sense of absolute entitlement - despite never having paid tax, and strenuous and prolonged complaints if one of the army of state-funded carers is 20 minutes late occasionally.
People spend years stuffing in the burgers and milkshakes but suddenly the problem is the lack of podiatrists to visit them at home, roll them out of bed and cut their toenails? Never the money to get to appointments...unles
s it's down the pub.

I do feel sorry for those who suffer from this awful condition through no fault of their own. However, perhaps the other 80% may be suffering from 'over-active cake hole syndrome', this leads to increasing girth and denial of any personal responsibility for diet or personal hygiene, enlarged and incessant sense of absolute entitlement - despite never having paid tax, and strenuous and prolonged complaints if one of the army of state-funded carers is 20 minutes late occasionally.
People spend years stuffing in the burgers and milkshakes but suddenly the problem is the lack of podiatrists to visit them at home, roll them out of bed and cut their toenails? Never the money to get to appointments...unles
s it's down the pub.From beer to uncertainty

Barney Collier wrote:
Obesity is the cause, these are side effects. Fatties ...

A very simplistic response where obesity is primarily a symptom of rather then a cause in diabetes type1 which is essentially an autoimmune reaction because the body is attacking itself.

There is no specific diabetes cause, but triggers may be involved:
Viral or bacterial infection
Chemical toxins within food
Unidentified component causing autoimmune reaction
Underlying genetic predisposition may also be a factor

There are a variety of other potential diabetes causes. These include the following:
Pancreatitis is known to increase the risk of developing diabetes, as is a pancreatectomy.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Cushing’s syndrome.
Glucagonoma.
Steroid induced diabetes is a rare form of diabetes that occurs due to prolonged use of glucocorticoid therapy.

It is type 2 diabetes that is usually multifactorial and a degree of lifestyle choices may have a bearing there. However even there a predisposition to diabetes has to be present first.

[quote][p][bold]Barney Collier[/bold] wrote:
Obesity is the cause, these are side effects. Fatties ...[/p][/quote]A very simplistic response where obesity is primarily a symptom of rather then a cause in diabetes type1 which is essentially an autoimmune reaction because the body is attacking itself.
There is no specific diabetes cause, but triggers may be involved:
Viral or bacterial infection
Chemical toxins within food
Unidentified component causing autoimmune reaction
Underlying genetic predisposition may also be a factor
There are a variety of other potential diabetes causes. These include the following:
Pancreatitis is known to increase the risk of developing diabetes, as is a pancreatectomy.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Cushing’s syndrome.
Glucagonoma.
Steroid induced diabetes is a rare form of diabetes that occurs due to prolonged use of glucocorticoid therapy.
It is type 2 diabetes that is usually multifactorial and a degree of lifestyle choices may have a bearing there. However even there a predisposition to diabetes has to be present first.mimseycal

As mimseycal says, diabetes is not just about overeating although that is a major cause nowadays, especially if your autoimmune system is dodgy.

My troubles started when my thyroid went mentallly overactive and tried to shut down the rest of my body. It caused a heart attack even though at that point I only weighed 11 stone which, at 6 feet tall is not excessive My cholesterol was under 3 and blood pressure was low. The effect on my autoimmune system made me liable to diabetes and, as you get older, it's more difficult to get back to where you were ih health..

As mimseycal says, diabetes is not just about overeating although that is a major cause nowadays, especially if your autoimmune system is dodgy.
My troubles started when my thyroid went mentallly overactive and tried to shut down the rest of my body. It caused a heart attack even though at that point I only weighed 11 stone which, at 6 feet tall is not excessive My cholesterol was under 3 and blood pressure was low. The effect on my autoimmune system made me liable to diabetes and, as you get older, it's more difficult to get back to where you were ih health..chilliman

I feel sorry for people in East Sussex, surprise surprise East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust again... They're always in the news for the wrong reasons usually down to ineptitude, overpaid directors, too many managers and cut backs on services (probably to pay for all the managers and directors...) They really need sorting out.

I feel sorry for people in East Sussex, surprise surprise East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust again... They're always in the news for the wrong reasons usually down to ineptitude, overpaid directors, too many managers and cut backs on services (probably to pay for all the managers and directors...) They really need sorting out.Take it Personally